Decrease of lichens in Arctic ecosystems: the role of wildfire, caribou, reindeer, competition and climate in north-western Alaska

Polar research

Randi R. Jandt¹  David R. Klein²  Kyle Joly⁴ 

[1] Department of Biology and Wildlife, 211 Irving 1, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USACorrespondence;Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703, USA;Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757000, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA;National Park Service, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 4175 Geist Road Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA

关键词: Climate warming;    disturbance;    fire;    grazing;    lichens;    Rangifer tarandus;   

DOI  :  10.1111/j.1751-8369.2009.00113.x

学科分类：自然科学（综合）

来源: Co-Action Publishing

【 摘 要 】

We review and present a synthesis of the existing research dealing with changing Arctic tundra ecosystems, in relation to caribou and reindeer winter ranges. Whereas pan-Arctic studies have documented the effects on tundra vegetation from simulated climate change, we draw upon recent long-term regional studies in Alaska that have documented the actual, on-the-ground effects. Our review reveals signs of marked change in Arctic tundra ecosystems. Factors known to be affecting these changes include wildfire, disturbance by caribou and reindeer, differential growth responses of vascular plants and lichens, and associated competition under climate warming scenarios. These factors are interrelated, and, we posit, unidirectional: that is, they are all implicated in the significant reduction of terricolous lichen ground cover and biomass during recent decades. Lichens constitute the primary winter forage for large, migratory caribou and reindeer herds, which in turn are a critical subsistence resource for rural r...

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC